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 by Lilasel
The Bauska castle ruins is an wonderful ambiance for music destivals, which take place here every July.
My Bauska page. Leave a Comment
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Latvia's capital, Riga, is the largest city in the Baltic states, with ca 750 000 inhabitants - and a major cultural, political and financial centre of the Baltics. I've been to Riga eight (?) times, and I think the city is well worth a visit!
The Old Town of Riga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city is also noted for its extensive art nouveau architecture. Sights in the Old Town include the Dome Cathedral, the buildings known as the Three Brothers, Riga castle (which also houses two museums), the Powder Tower and the remains of the Town Wall. Honestly, almost every building in the Old Town of Riga has historical or architectural interest...! Don't miss the view from the spire of St. Peter's Church, a visit to the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, and a look around the huge central market located in five enormous WW1 zeppelin hangars by the Daugava river.
In this ex-Soviet city you'll find great nightlife, and lots of good (and compared to many other cities in Europe, still quite cheap - even though prices have increased *a lot* in the past few years) restaurants (plus a few really, really bad ones...) - and I'm telling you, you just *have* to sip cocktails at Skyline Bar while watching the panoramic view from the 26th floor of Hotel Latvija!;o)
I've spent 4 months or so in Riga during the last two years, and you'll find much more info on my Riga page... :o) Leave a Comment
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You should visit Sigulda - our Switzerland. This town is located 53 km away from Riga in the picturesque valley of the Gauja river. Hilly river banks, sandstone caves and ruins of the medieval castles make it so very unique.
Sigulda is attractive in all seasons. It is the centre of downhill skiing in the winter. In summer, it is a popular place for boating.
You must visit the Gauja National Park where several walking and cycling trails are made. Among the "must" sights would be the Sigulda Castle Ruins, the medieval Turaida Castle, panoramic Painters' Hill, the Gutmana Cave.
The Gauja National Park is particularly beautiful in the golden autumn. Leave a Comment
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Jurmala means beach / seaside in Latvian, and this is Latvia's largest resort town. Well, Jurmala is actually not *one* town, it's a string of ca 15 villages, situated on a small peninsula between the Lielupe river and the Gulf of Riga - along a lovely 32-km long white-sand beach.
Jurmala has around 55 000 inhabitants, and is only about 25 km from the country's capital - the train ride from Riga takes around 30 minutes. This area has been a popular resort destination for over 150 years, and there are numerous spas and spa-hotels in Jurmala, offering all sorts of treatments & cures - as well as some *serious* pampering...
Jurmala's central part, Majori, has a quite large number of restaurants & bars - and the main pedestrian street, Jomas iela, is very busy in the summer months, with loads of outdoors restaurants and beer gardens. In winter Jurmala is considerably more quiet - but it's still an excellent place to go for a walk, and to have *delicious* Thai food at Sue's Asia on Jomas iela...;o) (More on my Jurmala page)
Many of the buildings in Jurmala are richly decorated and colourful wooden villas, built ca the early 20th century in art nouveau style - it's all very pretty, with towers and turrets and verandahs and all sorts of ornate details - lovely!
See my Jurmala page for some more info... ;o) Leave a Comment
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The small town of Sigulda is surrounded by the Gauja National Park, a hilly, forested area nicknamed the "Switzerland of Latvia". Can't say it reminded me too much of Switzerland, but it was still a nice place... :o) My first visit to Sigulda was in early spring, and there wasn't a lot going on. My second visit to Sigulda was in July - and the place was totally transformed from the quiet winter edition...:o) Lots of people around, and the summer scenery was so much nicer than the somewhat bleak winter version.
The Gauja area is great for cycling, canoeing and hiking - or skiing and bobsleighing (!) in winter. (There's a bobsled track in the town centre of Sigulda, where you can try a ride for only 4 Ls)
Sights in the area include the Turaida Museum Reserve, with the medieval red-brick Turaida castle, and the "Folk Song Hill" with stone sculptures reflecting Latvian folklore. Don't miss the view from the round tower of Turaida castle! Krimulda and Sigulda castle ruins are also worth a look. There's a cable car across the Gauja valley, offering fine views over the valley and the Gauja river. (Bungee jumping from the cable car is available during weekends.)
There are several large caves in the Sigulda area, among them the Gutmana Cave which is the largest cave in the Baltics. (19 metres deep, 10 metres high.)
Sigulda is situated ca 50 km north-east of Riga, and can easily be seen on a day trip from the Latvian capital. Trains and buses run regularly between the two cities, and takes around one hour. See my Sigulda page for details. Leave a Comment
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 Alberta street in Riga by Lilasel
1. one of the world largest and best preserved assemblages of the Art Nouveau buildings,
2. a city with architecture that reflects various periods of city history from 1201 to the present day,
3. a city with a unique collection of wooden architecture in the central city area. Leave a Comment
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 Laima Clock by hopangLeave a Comment Address: Aspazijas Street, RigaDirections: Located at the junction of Aspazijas and Brivibas Streets in the heart of the Old Town of Riga.
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 Riga Central Market by hopang
Riga Central Market was established in 1930 after moving into the old Zeppelin hangars which were no longer in use as depicted in our photo above. The five large semi-cylindrical shaped hangars are home to various sections of the markets dealing in grocery, dairy products and fresh fruits and vegetables to fresh meat, fish and chickens. Wide range of other consumer goods especially clothings, apparels and household utensils are on sale in the markets. Cigarettes, wines and liquors can be bought cheaply from Riga Central Market. Leave a Comment Address: Negu Street 7, RigaPhone: +371 6722 9985Directions: Located very close to the Central Bus Station in the heart of Riga.Website: http://www.centraltirgus.lv Other Contact: Fax: +371 6735 8171
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The Freedom Monument (Brivibas Piemineklis) is located at Brivibas Street at Freedom Boulevard (Brivibas bulvaris) near the Laima Clock at the edge of the Old Town in Riga. It was erected in 1935 to dedicate to freedom and in honour of the soldiers killed during the Latvian War of Independence between 1918 and 1920. The monument was designed by famous Latvian sculptor Karlis Zale. It was constructed of copper and granite. The monument is the tallest of its kind in Europe! It is regarded as a landmark of the city of Riga.
The Freedom Monument is topped by a statue of liberty holding three stars in outstretched hands. The three star symbolise the three regions of Latvia, i.e. Kurzeme (Courland), Vidzeme (Livland) and Latgale (Lettgallen). The monument has survived four decades of Soviet's rule and many wonder why the Soviets did not demolish it! The area around the monument has also been used for public gatherings and demonstrations in the past! Don't miss the Freedom Monument when you are in Riga for your vacation! Leave a Comment Address: Brivibas Street, RigaDirections: Located at Brivibas Street at Freedom Boulevard (Brivibas bulvaris) near the Laima Clock at the edge of the Old Town of Riga.Website: http://www.1201.lv/history/freedom
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 the view of Old Riga by Lilasel
But for me this city has particular scent and colour. Riga parks where we can spend a while sitting on a bench or just take a walk, or relax in cozy outdoor cafes. The banks of the Daugava (our river) and the spirit of Old Riga.
My Riga page. Leave a Comment
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